PairPi

UK Picture Books Literary Agents

50 agents · 36 currently open to submissions

Picture books are a specialist category. They look small from the outside, but agents know how precise they are: page turns, rhythm, visual potential, age fit, humour, tenderness, and a text that leaves room for the illustrator to do real storytelling. A picture book submission has to prove it understands the form, not just the audience.

A word on the search. Some agents say picture books, some say illustrated books, and some only list children's broadly. This page narrows to agents with picture book or illustration signals. Use the broad search toggle on the main directory if you want the broader children's list before deciding who genuinely handles picture books.

Every listing on PairPi is verified against the agent's own website, with the date we last checked. If you are an author-only picture book writer, check each agency's guidelines carefully: some want illustrator-authors, some are open to text-only submissions, and some separate the two.

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Represents

Picture books, children's fiction

Looking for

Voice and style come first — the agency needs to fall for your voice above all else. Ideas are secondary and can be developed, but the voice must draw them in immediately. Particularly interested in hearing from diverse authors and illustrators, and those writing own voices stories. Also interested in illustrators who write or intend to write, as they benefit most from the agency's editorial input.

How to submit

Email submissions@thecatchpoleagency.co.uk with: a short cover letter with a couple of details about yourself, a one- or two-sentence pitch setting out the hook of your premise, a brief note on intended readership, and a writing sample pasted into the body of the email (a complete picture book text or a couple of chapters of a novel). Illustrators should also include a link to work viewable online plus some writing. No postal submissions accepted. If own voices or diverse applies to you, include #ownvoices or #diverse in the subject line. Note: submissions are closed until June 2026.

Last checked 16 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, crime, women's fiction, narrative non-fiction, children's, picture books, ya

Looking for

Fiction: literary fiction, crime, women's fiction. Non-fiction: narrative. Children's: picture books to YA

How to submit

Email submissions to submissions@jennybrownassociates.com for adult work (or directly to jenny@jennybrownassociates.com or lisa@jennybrownassociates.com), or to childrens@jennybrownassociates.com for children's submissions. Write a covering letter in the body of the email. Fiction: attach first three chapters (around 50 pages) and a synopsis in a single document. Non-fiction: attach a proposal and a couple of sample chapters. Picture books: send three complete stories. Illustrators: send samples and a link to your website. Attach text as .doc, .docx, or .pdf, illustrations as .jpeg, .gif, or .pdf. Number your pages.

Last checked 22 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Children's books

Looking for

Children's fiction and illustration: voice/style-first, strong hooks, diverse/own voices welcomed

How to submit

Email a short cover letter, a one- or two-sentence pitch including the hook and intended readership, and a writing sample pasted into the body of the email (a full picture book text or a couple of chapters of a novel) to submissions@thecatchpoleagency.co.uk. Illustrators should also include a link to their online portfolio. Do not submit by post. If own voices or diverse applies, include #ownvoices or #diverse in the subject line.

Last checked 8 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Picture books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, children's nonfiction

Looking for

Middle-grade and young adult fiction, including novels celebrating unlikely underdog alliances, close siblings, fierce friendships, and found families, with particular interest in stories centered on queer and BIPOC community and joy. In middle-grade: cozy, emotionally resonant fantasy and literary-leaning multi-layered mysteries. In young adult: sweeping fantasy set in fully realized unique worlds, especially those inspired by non-European cultures, as well as thrillers with strong hooks. Also open to well-researched, propulsive narrative nonfiction for both categories, especially from authors from marginalized communities.

How to submit

Query Erin Murphy through Query Tracker only. Include a query letter and sample pages as requested through the platform.

Last checked 14 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Fiction, non-fiction, illustration, children's, adult

Looking for

Sallyanne Sweeney represents fiction, non-fiction, and illustration across children's and adult publishing. She is always drawn to projects that combine creative ambition with broad readership appeal, with taste ranging from the literary to the commercial. She focuses on distinctive voices, strong storytelling, and fresh perspectives, and has a particular gift for guiding debut writers into long-term careers while supporting established voices to reach new audiences.

How to submit

Submit via Query Tracker.

Last checked 24 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Children's literature, middle grade, chapter books, young adult, picture books

Looking for

Penny Moore represents children's literature, mainly middle grade, chapter books, young adult, and select picture books. Though she is interested in all genres, she is specifically seeking inventive works featuring breakout voices and compelling plot lines that will make young readers feel seen and heard for the first time.

How to submit

Penny only accepts submissions via Query Manager. Submit through her Query Manager page at https:// queryManager.com or LiteraryPenny.

Last checked 23 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Picture books, chapter books, children's illustration

Looking for

Picture books and chapter books with strong narrative in both text and illustration, particularly work by illustrators. Stories with suspense, emotional depth, and structural integrity.

How to submit

Submit your work via email to millie@rcwlitagency.com. Due to the volume of submissions received, individual responses are only provided if the agent wishes to discuss your work further. If you do not receive a response after eight weeks, please consider it a decline.

Last checked 22 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Self-help, pop culture, music, memoir, history, science, politics, social justice, narrative food writing, faith, true crime, commercial fiction, psychological thrillers, horror thrillers, children's books, picture books, ya

Looking for

Rick Richter represents self-help, pop culture and music, memoir, history, science, politics and social justice, narrative food writing, and faith. He is also interested in select true crime, commercial fiction, and psychological/horror thrillers and diverse voices in all categories. He has extensive experience in children's books and represents illustrators and children's authors writing fiction and non-fiction from picture books through YA.

How to submit

Rick Richter only accepts queries through Query Manager. Please check his Query Manager profile for more information.

Last checked 21 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Fiction and non-fiction, children's books

Looking for

Currently (Jan 2026) only open to: non-fiction (adult or children) from experts, and non-rhyming picture books (especially author-illustrators)

How to submit

Email charlotte@greyhoundliterary.co.uk with a cover letter and pitch in the body of the email. For fiction, attach the first three chapters and a synopsis. For non-fiction, attach a proposal and sample writing. For children's picture books, attach the full manuscript and sample illustrations if you are also the illustrator.

Last checked 18 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Children's authors and illustrators

Looking for

Children's authors/illustrators across ages/genres, currently especially: witches, teen romance/romcom series, MG/YA sci-fi/fantasy, MG/YA horror/supernatural, YA romantasy, books for boys, compelling contemporary. For picture books/graphic novels currently only author-illustrators

How to submit

Email childrensbooksubmissions@theagency.co.uk with submissions as attachments, not download links. Do not email the agent directly. No postal submissions.

Last checked 11 Sept 2026Via Email

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